From hole-in-the-wall local joints to tourist hot spots, we’ve rounded up 11 of the best places to eat in Maui, Hawaii!
11 Best Places to Eat in Maui, Hawaii
Table of Contents
- 1. Down the Hatch
- 2. The Gazebo
- 3. Coconut’s Fish Cafe
- 4. Paia Fish Market
- 5. Monkeypod Kitchen
- 6. Leoda’s Kitchen and Pie Shop
- 7. Ululani’s Hawaiian Shave Ice
- 8. Tin Roof Maui
- 9. Cheeseburger in Paradise
- 10. Island Cream Co
- 11. Kahiau’s Poke Truck
*Update: Due to the devastating August 2023 fires in Lahaina, many of the restaurants in Lahaina have been destroyed. Hopefully, they will be able to rebuild in the future, but check to see if they are open before you vist.
1. Down the Hatch
Of all the places we ate in Maui, we all agreed that Down the Hatch was our favorite!
And we’re not the only ones that think it is one of the best places to eat in Maui. Down the Hatch was awarded one of Yelp’s top 100 restaurants in 2022.
Their specialty is the Lobster & Crab Grilled Cheese Sandwich that was featured on Diners, Drive-ins, & Dives. However, every dish we tried was delicious and the portions are generous.
The Cali Burrito with a side of loaded nachos is so deliciously filling and an easy dish to share.
You can’t go wrong with any of their fresh seafood dishes, especially the Macadamia Nut Crusted Mahi.
For a vegetarian option, try the Sweet Potato Tacos with mango salsa and lava lava sauce.
The dining area is located in an outdoor courtyard at a Lahaina shopping center.
It has a fun ambiance with string lights and a bubbling fountain.
2. The Gazebo
The Gazebo is a hidden gem tucked away inside the Napili Shores Condos complex. You’ll find the small breezy outdoor cafe located poolside overlooking the ocean.
They serve the same breakfast and lunch menu daily from 7:30 am to 2:00 pm.
The Gazebo is quite literally a small gazebo, so seating is limited and there is always a steady line during opening hours.
But it is worth the wait, the White Chocolate Mac Nut Pancakes are the stuff dreams are made of.
It doesn’t get much better than sitting by the ocean indulging in fluffy stacks of pancakes smothered in coconut syrup and piled high with homemade whipped cream.
The Gazebo is also known for their fried rice. The rice is perfectly seasoned and mixed with vegetables and your choice of meat. The generous dish is also large enough to feed the entire table!
3. Coconut’s Fish Cafe
If you’re looking for the best fish tacos in Maui, and all of Hawaii, then head to Coconut’s Fish Cafe.
This unassuming spot can be found in a local strip mall sandwiched in between Wow Wow Lemonade and Peggy Sue’s.
This casual family-owned eatery opened in 2009 and quickly became a favorite among locals. Today the restaurant has expanded to include locations throughout Hawaii and even in Arizona and California!
If you want to visit the original location, you can find it in the Azeka shopping center in Kihei.
Coconut’s Fish Cafe was listed in the “Top 100 Seafood Restaurants in the World” by CNN and has also received accolades from the likes of Zagat and Travel + Leisure to name a few.
There really is something special about their fish tacos.
They use 17 different ingredients and 7 different textures that compliment each other perfectly. The flavors meld together to create the most mouthwatering dish.
While the fish tacos are the main attraction, be sure to order a side of coconut shrimp and volcano fries as well!
We had a chance to talk to the owner, who is such a friendly and humble guy. He just so happened to be helping out with dishes that night when he stopped to chat.
He shared that his mission is to not only serve the best fish tacos around, but to also make each customer feel like family!
After you eat, stop in at Wow Wow Lemonade for fresh-squeezed lemonade. Or visit the neighboring Peggy Sues retro diner for an old-fashioned milkshake.
Their shakes are made with scoops of real ice cream and milk, you won’t find any artificial flavors or coloring here!
4. Paia Fish Market
Paia Fish Market is regularly touted as one of the best places to eat in Maui, and for good reason! They have been serving the best fresh caught fish on the island since 1989.
Their fish comes directly from local fishermen and is served fresh daily. The produce is also locally sourced.
Try the Blackened Mahi Mahi, or the Hawaiian Snapper sauteed in butter and garlic and spritzed with lemon.
The Fresh Catch Plate includes your choice of homemade sides, such as hand-cut coleslaw, Cajun rice, homestyle potato hash, or French fries.
This local Maui seafood restaurant has been featured in many notable publications, such as National Geographic, Thrillist, Travel Channel, and The Huffington Post.
The original Paia Fish Market can be found in Paia, but the restaurant has expanded to include other locations in Kihei, Lahaina, and even in Waikiki on the island of Oahu.
Paia is the gateway town to the Road to Hana. If you are planning to drive the Road to Hana, be sure to check out our guide for the 15 Best Stops on the Road to Hana!
5. Monkeypod Kitchen
Monkeypod Kitchen is a farm-to-table restaurant from the same creators behind the upscale Merriman’s Maui. Peter Merriman is the chef and owner and has been nominated for the James Beard award.
The restaurant takes pride in creating dishes using locally grown and sourced produce and meats. Everything on the menu is fresh, with the highlight being the chef’s catch of the day.
Our family favorites are the Pumpkin Patch Ravioli, Waipoli Farm Baby Romaine Salad, Fresh Caught Fish Tacos, Maui Cattle Company Cheeseburger, and fresh-cut fries.
I will say that the portions are a little small for the price, but you can definitely taste the high-quality ingredients.
For a more budget-friendly option, visit during happy hour from 3-5 pm where they have $10 pizza and half-price wings. Be sure to try the pineapple pizza!
Their pizza actually made #9 on the list of Yelp’s Top 100 Best Pizza Spots in the US in 2024. The wood-fired pizza is baked using wood from the local kiawe tree that gives the crust a smokey mesquite flavor. Try the Kalua Pork and Pineapple Pizza!
Monkeypod Kitchen has a few locations in Maui, as well as Oahu, the Wailea location is our favorite. And while you’re in Wailea, be sure to check out these 8 Awesome Things to do in Wailea!
6. Leoda’s Kitchen and Pie Shop
Leoda’s Kitchen and Pie Shop is a Maui institution. It is THE spot to go for mouthwatering home-baked goods.
With silky coconut cream pies, warm banana bread, monkey bread with sweet cream cheese frosting, and their legendary homemade whoopie pies, you will want to try one of everything!
Along with their baked goods, they also offer a menu for casual farm-fresh dining in their plantation-era shop.
Try the French toast for breakfast, and a spicy tuna sandwich or Lahaina dog for lunch. The homemade empanadas are also a favorite!
7. Ululani’s Hawaiian Shave Ice
Ululani’s has a reputation for serving the best shave ice on the island, and we can’t argue! Their creamy smooth texture makes their shave ice a notch above the rest.
If you’re not sure what to order, try a scoop of mac nut ice cream on the bottom, topped with shave ice drenched in mango and guava syrup, and a snow cap (sweetened condensed milk) on top.\
The pina colada is also a classic favorite, and if you’re feeling adventurous try the ube syrup!
Ululani’s is located in downtown Lahaina where you can stroll through the shops along Front Street and eat your shave ice in the shade of the sprawling branches of the famous banyan tree.
*Related post: Best Beaches in Maui
8. Tin Roof Maui
This casual joint is run by chef Sheldon Simeon from season 10 of Top Chef. It has also been featured on Gordon Ramsey’s Uncharted and has a 4.5-star Yelp rating with over 1800 reviews.
Their signature dish is the Mochiko Chicken Bowl with crispy tender fried chicken thighs drizzled with spicy mayo and a sweet and tangy sauce.
Their fresh poke bowls and wok-fried homemade chow funn noodles are also a crowd favorite.
I will say that the portion sizes seemed a little small for the price, but that is often the case in Hawaii!
9. Cheeseburger in Paradise
Cheeseburger in Paradise is located right on the shore in downtown Lahaina. It was opened in 1989 by two Southern California girls looking to live their dream.
That dream became a reality and today Cheeseburger in Paradise serves an average of 1200 guests per day. They have expanded to multiple locations and have even opened more upscale breweries.
But there really is no place quite like the original.
Here at Lahaina, the upstairs outdoor dining area offers a cool coastal breeze and unparalleled ocean views at sunset. You’ll find a cool laid-back vibe and handcrafted burgers.
Try the Island Style Cheeseburger topped with teriyaki glazed grilled pineapple and fresh avocado, along with a side of onion rings.
The Ali’i Cheeseburger is also filling and tasty with a fried egg and crispy bacon drizzled with hot sauce mayo.
Expect a wait and expect to pay $18 for a burger. I will say that our kids still think In-N-Out’s $4 burgers are better, but you be the judge!
*Related Post: Makamakaole Falls: A Maui Hidden Gem
10. Island Cream Co
If you’re looking for a sweet treat, head to Island Cream Co.
From the outside, it looks like any other strip mall ice cream shop, but step inside and you’ll find the largest selection of handmade ice cream in Maui!
They offer 150 different flavors with a rotation of 36 made fresh daily in the store.
With so many different flavors it’s hard to decide what to order, but they do offer free samples to help you narrow it down. Or order the 6-scoop mini sampler with six different flavors and topped with hot fudge!
Try the Oatmeal Cookie, Hawaiian Passion Sorbet, Banana Custard, or Pineapple ice cream if they are available.
Island Cream Co has received numerous awards and has also been voted the best ice cream in Maui by Yelp, Trip Advisor, and Buzzfeed.
The Glacier Ice Station can also be found inside the Island Cream Co shop and is a huge hit, especially with kids.
Here you can make your own shave ice creation, mixing any combination of the 36 different flavors that you would like!
11. Kahiau’s Poke Truck
If you’re looking for some fresh poke on your way to or from the airport, be sure to stop by Kahiau’s Poke Truck.
It is located in an empty lot across from the Costco Food Court. Here, you’ll find a circle of 8-10 food trucks in the lot that has been nicknamed the “Costco Circle”.
While they do offer fried poke and deep-fried ahi plates, stick with the original poke bowl.
Try the spicy ahi Pele Poke or the Shoyu Bowl with ahi, avocado, and imitation crab. All of the bowls are served with sushi rice which gives it that little extra something.
Kahiau’s Poke Truck is quick, convenient, fresh, and delicious!
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I hope this guide has helped you discover some of the best places to eat in Maui! And if you’re looking for some fun things to do in Maui, check out these guides:
- 9 of the Best Waterfalls in Maui
- 11 Most Beautiful Places in the West Maui Mountains
- Pipiwai Trail: the Best Waterfall Hike in Maui
[…] *Related post: If you’ve worked up an appetite after all these waterfall hikes, be sure to check out these 11 Best Places to Eat in Maui! […]